Comparative analysis of optogenetic actuators in cultured astrocytes.

ABSTRACT: Astrocytes modulate synaptic transmission via release of gliotransmitters such as ATP, glutamate, D-serine and L-lactate. One of the main problems when studying the role of astrocytes in vitro and in vivo is the lack of suitable tools for their selective activation. Optogenetic actuators can be used to manipulate astrocytic activity by expression of variants of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) or other optogenetic actuators with the aim to initiate intracellular events such as intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) and/or cAMP increases. We have developed an array of adenoviral vectors (AVV) with ChR2-like actuators, including an enhanced ChR2 mutant (H134R), and a mutant with improved Ca(2+) permeability (Ca(2+) translocating channelrhodopsin, CatCh). We show here that [Ca(2+)]i elevations evoked by C

SUBMITTER: Figueiredo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4169180 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature